Recently, Jin Xiao, who had no significant matters to attend to, was learning military deployment and formations from Chen Yan.
As Chen Yan moved a chess piece on the board, the entire game instantly reversed. Jin Xiao, who had been on the verge of victory, was forced into a desperate situation in an instant.
Staring blankly at the chessboard, only one step away from victory, Jin Xiao felt a bit discouraged. "I lost again," he said.
Chen Yan stroked his long beard, a slight smile playing on his lips. "After all, I’ve been in the Infinite Star Sea for so long. It might sound like an exaggeration, but I’ve spent more time on the battlefield than the Great Commander has spent on cultivation."
"And it’s just one move. A Cultivator can use their own formidable strength to directly flip the board."
"Advisor Chen, what are your thoughts on the Corpse Demon Clan’s request for an alliance?" Jin Xiao asked, thinking about the message sent by the Corpse Demon King not long ago and feeling indecisive.
Chen Yan pondered for a moment and said, "That depends on your own thoughts, Junior Brother Jin."
"My thoughts?" Jin Xiao pointed at himself, somewhat puzzled.
"Yes. If you, Junior Brother Jin, intend to become a Core Disciple and the next Peak Master of White Tiger Peak, then there’s no need to pay them any mind. Just defend the Third Zone. Neither the Corpse Demon Clan nor the Insect Nest would turn around and become our enemies."
"However, if you, Junior Brother Jin, aspire to become one of the Sect’s Main Hall Elders in the future, then you should agree. After all, once the Corpse Demon Clan deals with the Insect Nest, they will leave. The Stars they occupied might not have many living creatures, but Spirit Plants still exist there," Chen Yan said meaningfully.
In the Myriad Beasts Sect, personal strength isn’t paramount. However, those who can become Main Hall Elders are true prodigies and naturally not weak.
Currently, among the Main Hall Elders, there is one whose personal strength is particularly lacking: Eighth Elder Hai Bo. His strength is unimpressive; forget comparing him to other Main Hall Elders, he’s not even a match for some ordinary Golden Immortal Peak Masters. So why can he maintain his position as the Eighth Elder of the Main Hall?
Of course, this is because he commands a very powerful Spiritual Beast and also possesses many territories in the Infinite Star Sea. In some of these territories, he even has subordinates stronger than himself.
As for why those subordinates don’t rebel, don’t be ridiculous. He is an Eighth Elder of the Myriad Beasts Sect. If anyone dared to rebel, the other members of the Myriad Beasts Sect would hunt them down and scatter their very ashes.
After a long while, Jin Xiao raised his head, looked at the empty Main Hall, and ordered, "Send out the message. All Disciples of the Myriad Beasts Sect in the Third Zone are permitted to autonomously attack the Insect Clan’s garrisons. Those with remarkable military achievements may be granted Stars."
"At your command, Great Commander."
"Ally with the Corpse Demon Clan to fight the Insect Clan? What kind of bizarre order is this? Did Senior Brother Jin Xiao really issue this?"
Early this morning, Chen Jiuge had been roused by the silver Altar in the Scripture Pavilion, which notified him that an important order had come down.
"Eh, military achievements can be exchanged for Stars?" Chen Jiuge’s eyes widened as he read to the end.
Once the Insect Nest is eradicated, the Corpse Demon Clan will evacuate the Third Zone. The Stars they occupied will then be given to the Myriad Beasts Sect as a reward. This is also one of the conditions for their cooperation.
This is an opportunity I can’t miss, Chen Jiuge thought, his interest piqued.
At the end of the order was a map showing the distribution of Stars occupied by the Insect Clan. Although the Insect Clan’s reproductive capabilities were formidable, consuming resources also took time; they couldn’t instantly devour an entire Star.
Besides, even after they consumed all the Spirit Plants and Spiritual Beasts on a Star, the Star itself wouldn’t be extinguished. To truly kill a Star, one must destroy its Star Origin.
Closing the order in his hand, Chen Jiuge notified Mo Yu through the Contract mark in his mind, instructing all Commanders to come for a meeting.
Soon, all Commander Level figures and Chen Jiuge’s own Contracted Spirit Beasts gathered in the newly constructed conference hall.
"This is the order from above. Everyone, take a look," Chen Jiuge said, and with a grand wave of his hand, the contents of the order materialized in the air.
After a moment, Chen Jiuge addressed the silent crowd, "I plan to participate in this war. After occupying Butterfly Star, I realized just how far we still have to go. We need more territories, more resources."
"I agree," Hu Xiao said in support. "We have considerable manpower now, and our combat strength is significant. With a bit of luck, we can definitely accumulate enough military achievements to exchange for a Star."
Following Hu Xiao’s speech, the remaining people and beasts began to express their opinions, and the decision to participate was passed unanimously.
"Very good. Here is the main distribution of Stars occupied by the Insect Clan. The Insect Nest will be besieged by the main forces led by the Corpse Demon Clan and Senior Brother Jin Xiao. Our primary task is to clear out the major Star garrisons that supply food to the Insect Nest."
"I’m not very familiar with Combat Techniques," Chen Jiuge said, looking at the only two human Commanders under his command. "Hu Xiao, Gan Shou, you two should have abundant experience. Take a look at this."
After an intense discussion, the two reached a consensus, selecting a Star located near the periphery of the Insect Clan’s territory. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on ⓝovelFire.net
"It’s in a remote location. While its defenses aren’t weak, we can take it."
"Then this is it," Chen Jiuge decided immediately.
Considering this Star was on the periphery of the Insect Nest’s territory and might be targeted by other Disciples, Chen Jiuge decided on a swift and decisive battle to occupy it as quickly as possible.
Before long, the assault troops were assembled.
Chen Jiuge led the expedition. The main force included Yue Meng, Li Kui, Tian Que, and Bai Ya. Hu Xiao and Gan Shou commanded the Green Wood Guards and White Cat Guards, who were also part of this main contingent. Additionally, five hundred ordinary Great Mahayana Spirit Beasts and various other support personnel, such as Charging Gunners, joined them. Once assembled, the troops officially set out.
Seven days later, Chen Jiuge looked down at the coordinates of the Star they were to attack and muttered to himself, "Still halfway to go, huh?"